Welcome to the Mukwonago Historical Society - Red Brick Museum

Celebrating the History of Mukwonago, WI

PRESERVING OUR INDIGENOUS HERITAGE FOR TOMORROW

Support the Mukwonago Historical Society

Fundraising Goal: $60,000

We are redesigning the display of the Native American collectionsat the Red Brick Museum. With the help of a professional museum designer and Native American experts, we will be bringing to life the many articles used by Indigenous peoples, many of them that inhabited the Mukwonago area.

Your Support Matters

Your generous donation will enable us to enhance our exhibitions, maintain historical artifacts, and develop educational programs for schools and the community. With your help, we can continue to organize engaging events, preserve our local history, and create a lasting impact.

How Your Donation Can Help
  • $25: Provides preservation supplies for delicate artifacts.
  • $50: Contributes to the creation of interpretive panels and labeling.
  • $100: Supports the development of educational materials for visitors, researchers, and schools.
  • $250: Assists in cataloging and organizing the entire collection.
  • $500: Sponsors new display cases and interactive audio/visual.
  • Other Amount: Every contribution, big or small, makes a significant difference in preserving Mukwonago's Indigenous heritage.

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Stage Coach Inn-then
Stage Coach Inn-Then
Stage Coach Inn-now
Stage Coach Inn-Now
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Descendants of Mukwonago’s Founder, Sewall Andrews - Event

On Sunday, October 23rd, the Mukwonago Historical Society hosted a family reunion of descendants of Mukwonago’s founder, Sewall Andrews. This multi-generational group of twenty visitors enjoyed touring their ancestor’s home, viewing heirlooms, and hearing about the early days of Mukwonago.

This “by-appointment” event demonstrates the Society’s commitment to keep Mukwonago’s rich history alive and well. While the Red Brick Museum does not have regular hours in the ‘off season’ (Oct-May), we can accommodate groups by arranging an appointment with us via this website. A donation is required, but we promise that your group will find the experience well worth it!”

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New Display Cases Needed!!!

Our extensive Native American collection includes many rare and delicate artifacts made of perishable materials: animal hide, beadwork, textiles, feathers, etc. To protect these irreplaceable items, our display cases need to be replaced with contemporary designs that offer state of the art environmental control and protection from insects. We will need at least ten of these cases at a cost of $5000-10000 each. Please help us grow the funds needed to purchase these fixtures to protect our collection in the coming years.

Redesign of Native American Room

3D-Rendering-of-Redesigned-Native-American-Room
3D-Rendering-of-Redesigned-Native-American-Room

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The Mukwonago Historical Society wishes to thank the Master and Volunteer Gardeners for keeping our grounds in great shape again this season. This botanical wonderland is just another reason to visit the Red Brick Museum in 2022! Specifically we wish to give a huge "shout out" to the following green thumbs:

  • Do Anich
  • Tom Biddick
  • Cheryl Ganske
  • Shirlene Hazelberg
  • Deb Kopydlowski
  • Angela Krzyzaniak
  • Carmel Liberman
  • Kris Nebel
  • Ron Reinert
  • Vi Reinert
  • Carol Thomas
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Red Brick MuseumVolunteer(s) needed for Red Brick Museum's digital preservation project. This project entails the digital scanning of the museum's large collection of photos, letters, written histories, newspaper clippings, census documents, and genealogies for organizational and preservation purposes. The volunteer(s) will be trained on the handling and processing of these materials. The volunteer will be guided as to how to prioritize and organize this material as well as the use of the scanning equipment and methods for electronic storage.

Hours will be Wednesdays from 1-4 pm and other times by appointment when Society personnel are at the Museum. This could also include Sundays from 1-4 when the Museum is open to the public.

Volunteer Appeal Audio

Interested candidates should contact the President of the Society for an interview. Contact information is on this website.

Successful candidate(s) will receive a gratus three year membership to the Mukwonago Historical Society & Museum.

More additions to the site coming soon. Call if you have questions.
Best Regards,
Henry Hecker

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Mukwonago Oral Histories

Much of the rich history of Mukwonago is preserved in the memories of its residents. Recognizing that these historical vignettes need to be captured for posterity, the Mukwonago Historical Society and radio station WFAQ-FM are conducting interviews with locals that are willing to share their memories with the public. These recordings are being played periodically on WFAQ and will likely become content for a regularly scheduled radio program in the future. If you have stories to tell about ancestors, events, or just great yarns, contact the Historical Society or Todd Ciske at WFAQ.

Below a sample oral history.

For More Oral Histories, Visit:

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2021 Mukwonago Historical Walking Tour

Volunteers from the Historical Society, Friends of the Library, and Black Box Theater conducted a fund-raising event, a walking tour of Mukwonago on September 25, 2021. The tour started with a ceremony for the Pearl & Grand Avenue Historic District dedicating the placement of eight signs to mark the district. Following speeches made by Village dignitaries, ticket holders followed the tour guide to twenty stopping points highlighting significant buildings and people in the Historic District, Oak Knoll Cemetery, and the Downtown area. Over 300 people participated with many family groups enjoying the beautiful weather and captivating messages from the actors. The history of Mukwonago came alive that day with such historical figures as Sewell Andrews, Alura Collins Hollister, Eugene Chafin, Harry Hicks and Princess Nenetah telling their stories. If you missed it, the Red Brick Museum has additional tour guides available for $7.00.

Audio of Sewell Andrews

The Pearl and Grand Avenue Historic District is now graced by eight signs like the one above.
The Pearl and Grand Avenue Historic District is now graced by eight signs like the one above.
Over a dozen actors played roles of Mukwonago historical figures on the tour.
Over a dozen actors played roles of Mukwonago historical figures on the tour.
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About the Museum

The Mukwonago museum is located at 103 Main Street, at the west side of the intersection of Highway 83 and CTH ES.  The museum is open the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, June through September.  If you would like to schedule a tour of the Red Brick Museum, or to find out more information, please call the museum at (262) 363-6413.

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Museum History

Located in the heart of downtown Mukwonago, Wisconsin, the Mukwonago Museum was first established in 1967, the Red Brick House was purchased with funds left by Mr. Arthur Grutzmacher.  Built in 1842 by original Mukwonago settler Sewall Andrews, the home has been restored to a lovely Victorian house, reminiscent of the post-Civil War period.

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Contact Us

By Mail
P.O. Box 392
Mukwonago, WI 53149

By Email
president@mukwonagohistoricalsociety.org

By Phone
(262) 363-6413

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Recent Articles

Click on article box to view article

Bob Bartelt

William Stickles: Woodsman, Marksman, Civil War Union Soldier

Old Mukwonago Train Station

Local Railroad History

Arthur-Grutzmacher

Arthur Grutzmacher Photos Taken 1900 – 1910

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Glenn Davis Was On His Way

Mukwa-Hecker

A Patent Medicine Made in Mukwonago

Two Signs

Signs of the Time

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Historic District Sign

Historic District Signs

We are proud to announce that this summer the Pearl and Grand Avenue Historic District will be graced by street markers noting the boundaries of the district established in 2002. The district is on the National Registry to recognize the various architectural styles employed in the building of the homes in the district that include Late Victorian, Colonial Revival, and American Movement homes. Also included in the district is the spectacular St. Pius V Church. Plans are being developed for a dedication ceremony later this year in conjunction with our Historic Village Tour. Watch for further details.

Mukwonago Historic District Map
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Plot Map November 1836 - Before
Restored Map with Period Frame

Mukwonago Plat Map Restoration

Thanks to the many donors that contributed to the restoration of our 1836 plat map, our map has returned to the museum and hangs proudly in our Greeting Room and can be viewed during tours of the museum again in 2021.”

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